Published 2:25 am, Saturday, January 16, 2010

McCann will talk about his work and answer audience questions at the 7 p.m. gathering at the university's Oak Room.

The talk is free, but those who wish to attend should make a reservation by calling 203-256-3160 or by visiting library's Web site at www.fairfieldpubliclibrary.org.

McCann won his prize for "Let the Great World Spin," a novel set in New York City on the day in 1974 when Philippe Peteit made his high-wire walk between the twin towers of the World Trade Center.

The 44-year-old writer was born in Dublin but has been living in the United States since the early 1980s.

McCann's earlier novels include "Dancer" and "This Side of Brightness."

The film rights to "Let the Great World Spin" have been optioned by J.J. Abrams, creator of the "Lost" television series and director of last year's "Star Trek" film.

CLARK CHOSEN FOR MURDER 203

The organizers of the annual Murder 203 announced last week that Mary Jane Clark will be the guest of honor at the April 17-18 conference of mystery writers and fans.

Clark has written a series of popular mysteries set in the world of television and other media.

The writer's books have been published in 23 languages.

Clark spent three decades at CBS News in New York City, working as a producer and writer. She started writing novels in 1998. Eight of her 12 books feature Eliza Blake, a TV morning-show host, including Clark's most recent novel, "Dying for Mercy," which was published last year.